Polis[e] (pl.: poleis [f]) means 'city' in Ancient Greek. The ancient word polis had socio-political connotations not possessed by modern usage. For example, Modern Greek πόλη (póli), "city", is located within a χώρα (chóra), "country", which is a πατρίδα (patrída) or "native land" for its citizens. [3] .
Government was centred in the town, but citizens of the polis lived throughout its territory. Ideally, the polis was a corporation of citizens who all participated in its government, religious cults, defense, and economic welfare and who obeyed its sacred and customary laws.
A polis (plural: poleis) was the typical structure of a community in the ancient Greek world. A polis consisted of an urban centre, often fortified and with a sacred centre built on a natural acropolis or harbour, which controlled a surrounding territory (chora) of land.
The meaning of POLIS is a Greek city-state; broadly : a state or society especially when characterized by a sense of community. How to use polis in a sentence.
What is a 'polis'? The word 'polis' is Greek for 'city'. Although, in the ancient world, a polis was much more than just a physical settlement. For more than one polis, the plural word poleis is used. A polis was made up of an urban center, often fortified, and the surrounding countryside.
The polis: The heart and soul of Ancient Greece - History Skills
Without a powerful, centralized state, smaller governing bodies created political order. One such type of governing body was the city-state or polis. Initially, the term polis referred to a fortified area or citadel which offered protection during times of war.